Irish President Michael Higgins signed a repeal of the country's Eighth Amendment Tuesday. It valued the life of the fetus and mother equally, effectively banning abortions.

In 2013, Ireland loosed the restrictions to allow abortions under certain conditions, such as if a woman's life is at risk.

The repeal comes after a nationwide referendum in May where the country's citizens voted overwhelming to do away with the ban.

Now Irish lawmakers need to pass new rules governing abortions. According to the BBC, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar plans to introduce that legislation in early October, which could make abortion services available next year.